PRK
The cornea’s thin surface layer is removed and the laser reshapes it directly. A bandage lens protects the eye while the surface grows back.
- Treats
- Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, within approved ranges
- Laser
- ZEISS MEL 90 excimer laser
- How it is done
- The surface is treated without a corneal flap
- After treatment
- Discomfort and blurred vision usually last three to five days; vision improves over the following weeks
How PRK works
A few hours at the clinic. The laser itself takes moments.
Numbing drops
Your eye is numbed and the lids held open.
The surface layer
The thin outer layer is removed. It grows back by itself.
Reshaping
The laser reshapes the cornea, tracking your eye as it moves.
A bandage lens
A soft lens protects the eye. You go home with a companion.
- Adults whose prescription has stayed stable, usually for at least a year
- Corneas that are thin, or have surface features that make a flap unwise
- People in jobs or sports where a blow to the eye is likely
- Prescriptions within the range the laser can treat
What it does well, and where it falls short
Benefits
- No flap, so no flap-related problems later
- Keeps more of the cornea’s depth than LASIK
- An option for some eyes that are not suited to LASIK
Limitations
- The first few days are more uncomfortable, with light sensitivity and watering
- Sharp vision takes longer to return, often a few weeks to settle fully
- Eye drops are usually needed for longer afterwards
Recovery
Discomfort and blurred vision usually last three to five days; vision improves over the following weeks. Typical, not promised; healing differs from person to person.
The first days
Watering, light sensitivity and blur while the surface heals. Stay home and rest.
About one week
The bandage lens comes out at a check-up. Vision is usable, not yet sharp.
The first months
Vision sharpens gradually. Use your drops and protect your eyes from sun.
Risks to talk through
Your surgeon will go through these with you before you decide.
More common
- Pain and light sensitivity
In the first days after treatment.
- Dry eyes
For weeks to months.
- Leftover prescription
Some prescription left over or returning, which may need glasses or a second treatment.
Uncommon or rare
- Corneal haze
Haze in the cornea, which is uncommon and usually fades.
- Infection
Uncommon; the risk is while the surface heals.
Questions about PRK
Is PRK older than LASIK?
Yes, it was the original laser technique. Long-term results are similar; the difference is mostly in the first weeks.
How long should I take off work?
Many people take most of a week. Your surgeon will advise you based on your job.
Why the contact lens?
It acts as a bandage while the surface of the cornea grows back, and makes the first days more comfortable.
Will I need drops?
Yes. Drops help healing and prevent infection. Follow the schedule you are given; it is usually longer than after LASIK.
The other procedures
Is PRK right for your eyes?
A screening measures your eyes and ends with a plain answer.
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